REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR STRATEGIC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/BUSINESS BRAND PLANNING Opportunity: The is searching for strategic brand planning that will help create and market a business brand for Eagle County. This brand will capitalize on a comprehensive regional economic development effort by utilizing measurable, industry proven strategies and leveraging existing assets. The winning candidate should expect to deliver a high level of service, find non-traditional solutions to traditional challenges and work collaboratively with the, local municipal and county partners, the business community and other partner firms and demonstrate the ability to be nimble, flexible, dedicated and results-oriented. Successful candidates will be responsible for delivering a cross-community brand that respects individual community identities while unifying the business message in Eagle County. Scope of Work: Raise Eagle County s profile as a viable place to build successful business and career opportunities through specific coordinated marketing efforts. 1. Develop complementary business-centric branding language that builds on existing brand strengths. The resulting business brand will leverage the existing tourism and municipal brands in Vail, Beaver Creek, Avon, Eagle, etc., with feedback from all of the stakeholders and will: a. Position Eagle County not only as premier vacation destination, but also as a great place to do business by building on not competing with current brands. b. Provide tools to shift language on chamber and business websites, local government economic development pages, and in other publically consumable narratives to match the business brand. 2. Develop appropriate business-oriented brand messaging strategies spotlighting Eagle County as a place to do business and highlighting existing sector strengths and/or local business (legacy or emerging) success stories. a. Include business-focused advertising and narrative in future editions of Visit Vail Valley: The Official Visitor s Guide to the Vail Valley. b. Incorporate refined messages into traditional local chamber marketing mediums. 3. Develop a 1, 3 and 5-year strategic marketing plan for Eagle County s business retention and business recruiting efforts including measurements, metrics and timelines with implementation to follow in 2015. a. Leverage research to identify top markets and develop strategies to reach the goals and measurement criteria set forth in the Eagle County Economic Development Plan. b. Advise on the integration and positioning of a video or video series introducing Eagle County and its collection of local communities to desired target markets.
The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to: Manage expenses to approved budgets Demonstrate accountability and meet deadlines Establish positive working relationships with all stakeholders Keep planning and execution on-pace with the ever-changing tourism-centric local business climate. Be resourceful, nimble, flexible, dedicated and results-oriented Bring creative solutions to the table Collaborate effectively with the chosen web development agency (if applicable) on this joint-needs project. Budget: Not to exceed $30,000 professional fees and agreed upon direct expenses. *Please Note: is also accepting RFQ s from qualified firms to create an economic development/business-centric website for Eagle County. Firms are encouraged to review both RFQ s for possible economies of scale and efficiencies. Economic Development Goals and Objectives To promote the long-term economic health of Eagle County, and solidify an economic base that is strong, diverse and resilient we must: 1. Retain and expand current businesses and 2. Recruit new businesses. Based on local economic competitiveness factors, approaches developed by the Economic Development Leadership Council, and 1:1 interviews with a variety of business owners and stakeholders from around the region, the Economic Council developed six Core Objectives to position Eagle County s economy for long term success. Eagle County Core Objectives 1. Build a Business-Friendly Eagle County 2. Create and Market an Eagle County Business Brand 3. Retain, Grow, and Recruit Businesses 4. Protect our Natural Environment 5. Expand opportunity in our leading sectors (Tourism and Recreation, Health & Wellness and Creative Industries) 6. Provide support for a Quality Workforce (Affordable Housing/Education/Transportation/Health) Full Eagle County Economic Development Plan available at: http://bit.ly/1lbqfdr
About The, a private, nonprofit corporation, is the regional economic development organization representing the Vail Valley and Eagle County, Colorado. The Vail Valley Partnership s mission is to take the leadership role to create and manage collaborative programs that encourage economic development and result in increased destination tourism in Eagle County. The Partnership has served as the Vail Valley s official destination marketing organization (DMO) for close to 50 years and more recently has served as the regional chamber of commerce and economic development agency representing the Eagle River Valley. The goal of these various efforts is to work collaboratively to enhance the economic prosperity of the region via tourism and support of the business community via chamber resources & strategic economic development efforts. The Partnership s destination marketing efforts, including group sales, event recruiting and leisure sales, resulted in a total economic impact of over $69m in 2013, contributing over $4.1m in state and local tax revenues. Our focus on tourism efforts as a part of our economic development strategy is essential, as visitor spending in Eagle County equals $720m annually, contributing $44 million in state and local tax revenues. Direct visitor spending benefits hotels, retailers, restaurants, attractions, transportation services and other small businesses, and directly supports jobs for more than 6,200 people in the Vail Valley region. The Partnership s chamber efforts, which focus on business services, networking events, educational programming and industry programming at a regional level, are driven to add value to the business community. Collaborative programs, extensive marketing benefits and dozens of business events are coordinated and led by the Partnership throughout the valley, providing opportunities for members to expand their awareness to both the local and destination audience. An increased focus on regional economic development and industry diversification resulted in the Economic Council of Eagle County efforts being consolidated into the Vail Valley Partnership s operations in 2012 to leverage the efforts of that organization. The Economic Council of Eagle County, historically funded by the Eagle County Board of County Commissioners, was incorporated in 2006 as a 501c3 corporation to promote the long term economic health of Eagle County. This group continues to provide a variety of research and works closely with Eagle County government and other stakeholder groups. As a private, nonprofit organization, s funding is derived from many sources, including a robust membership program, extensive destination marketing programs, government contracts for economic development service and miscellaneous program revenue. Visit vailvalleypartnership.com to learn more.
Timeline & Process Step 1: Candidates are asked to submit proposals containing the following items by April 21, 2014 by 3:00 p.m. MDT. Please email to the following individual: Jeremy Rietmann, Business Development Director, jrietmann@visitvailvalley.com 1) Background A statement covering resources, expertise, client list (indicating any client conflicts) and references. If a team is proposed, please also enclose their backgrounds. 2) Examples of previous work relevant to community economic development. Detail specific case studies that demonstrate abilities and results in these areas, particularly with respect to regional (multi-community or county-wide) economic development efforts. 3) Approach to the scope of work previously outlined. Step 2: Selection process: -April 21 by 3:00 p.m. MDT, RFQ deadline -April 29, narrow filed to maximum of 3 -May 5, presentations to local stakeholder committee (if necessary) -May 6, final selection Note: As a membership based organization, preference will be given to VVP member organizations assuming all other factors are equal. Contact Information: Jeremy Rietmann Business Development Director (970) 477-4012 jrietmann@visitvailvalley.com